Marydean Draws

  • Home
  • About
    • About & Contact
    • Creating my hymn prints
  • Bible Studies
    • My Substack
    • The Gospel of Luke Studies
    • The Jesus Speaks to Women Studies
    • Bible Study links
    • Bible on the Blog (by topic)
  • Podcast
  • FREEBIES
  • The Blog Archive
  • TEACHING
  • WHOLESALE
  • the SHOP
    • SHOP ALL
    • NEW
    • ART PRINTS
      • Hymns
        • Spring 2026 Print Collection
        • HYMN POSTCARDS/Mini Prints
        • CHRISTMAS
      • Florals
      • Birds
      • Jesus Speaks to Women
      • Landscapes
      • Encouragement
      • Harrisonburg/Local
      • CHRISTMAS
    • Greeting Cards
      • Boxed Card Sets
      • Christmas Cards
    • POSTCARDS
      • All Postcards
      • Postcard Sets
    • Stickers
    • 2026 Hymn Calendar
    • Notepads
    • BIBLE PRINTABLES
      • Full Color Card Sets
      • Coloring Pages
      • Advent + Christmas Printables
      • PRINTABLES in SPANISH
    • Watercolor Templates
    • $5 BIBLE CARD SETS
    • Gift Cards
    • SALE
      • STUDIO SALE
    • Your account
    • Wishlist
  •  

burdens

October 27, 2016 burdens•featured•hope•suffering•weakness

God is near + Psalm 34:18 printable Bible verse coloring page

I hung up the phone with the boy I had been pursuing a relationship with for the past year. He admitted cheating on me, and I knew immediately that the dream of “us” was over. I was in grad school at the time and walked into the kitchen where my roommate was cooking. She looked at my blood-drained face and knew something was wrong. I told her the ugly story and curled up on the carpet in the living...
READ MORE
August 6, 2015 burdens•neediness•trials•weakness

When weak is strong

Have I mentioned that this season of motherhood is wearing me out? I know I’m not the only one feeling more weak than strong these days. We all have our own brew of weaknesses made up of internal and external factors. My recipe? Allergy headaches. Anxiety. Depression in the family tree. Introversion in house of chatty girls. Seven months of interrupted sleep. Sometimes I wonder why God knit me together this way (Psalm 139:13). Wouldn’t I be more effective strong? ...

READ MORE
June 11, 2015 books that shape me•burdens•hope•illustration•neediness•printable•trials

Right now counts + free printable!

There have been times this last week when the challenges of parenting compounded with physical weaknesses made it all seem just too hard, and discouragement creeps in. It seems silly to write it; I’m not gravely ill or suffering anything serious. It’s just the moment-by-moment challenge of life currently.   My friend Laura recently shared the quote pictured above on her blog, The Blog Around the Corner. Laura is a friend that used to be part of our church...

READ MORE
April 8, 2015 burdens•grace•identity•marriage•neediness

Just a child

Do you know those moments when you’re faced with your own brokenness and failures? Other than my daily flops and flounderings in mommying, nothing makes me face this more than a good ‘ol argument with my husband. We don’t argue often anymore (our first few months as Mr. and Mrs. were a bit of a doozy), but there are still times when we completely miscommunicate.  This happened recently. We felt and saw the same situation totally differently and ended...

READ MORE
November 25, 2014 anxiety•burdens•depression•hope•joy•neediness•satisfaction•trials•waiting

How I deal with depressing days

I have days when I’m just sad. Depression is just a part of the rhythm of my life. It comes and goes. Sometimes I can figure out the source (physical, situational) and others times I can’t. I feel sad or oppressed by life, weighed down. I get quiet and weepy. I feel extra needy and don’t know why. One blessing of having been very low in the past is that I know a few things: I know God will...

READ MORE
August 7, 2014 anxiety•burdens

the weight

I am weighed down. I lay things down only to later realize I’ve picked them back up again. I’ve been reflecting on this Scripture: “Oh LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:1-2...

READ MORE

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the blog!

I’m Mary and I’m glad you’re here! Since 2014, I’ve been sharing encouraging words, fun Bible printables, and accessible art activities.

let’s talk about . . .

SEARCH THE BLOG

In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my frien In today’s Friday Chat, I’m joined by my friend Katie to talk about my Bible study pet peeves and best practices for leading Bible studies. We have both led and been part of small group Bible studies for many years, and we talk about how our ideas about the purpose of Bible study have changed over the years.

We discuss the importance of letting the Bible be complex, keeping Jesus at the center, dealing with the fear of the discussions going off the rails, and Katie’s hot take on the importance of actually praying in our small groups. You’ll also get to hear Katie’s answer to the question, “Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?”

It’s a wide-ranging discussion that I found really helpful and challenging. You might agree or disagree with us, but that’s okay, because that’s the point we’re making. Hope you enjoy the discussion!

Mentioned in this episode:

Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering https://www.priyaparker.com/

Lectio style Bible study https://renovare.org/articles/lectio-divina-1 (for example)

Inductive study method https://www.precept.org/2023/02/what-is-inductive-bible-study/ (for example)

Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55

Orthodoxy vs Orthopraxy https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/nobody-turn-you-around/ (for example)

Moms in Prayer https://momsinprayer.org/

In case you missed it, I published the next Luke study on John the Baptist and the first part of Luke 3 this week. You can read it here:
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53

🖤

You can find The Pictured Word podcast on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. You can also find me at www.marydeandraws.com or by searching for “Substack Marydean Draws.” 

All my Bible studies are available for anyone to read on Substack, but you can support my work by becoming a paid subscribers. Paid subscribers can download the printable study guides and coloring pages. 

You can also find my hymn art prints, cards, postcards, stickers, and Bible printables on my website. On my website or on Substack, you can sign up for my mailing list and get everything in your inbox, including new Bible studies each month and weekly newsletters.
The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a prev The study in Luke is up on Substack! Here's a preview of what's covered:
🖤 maps, I love maps!
🖤 Luke establishes the timeline
🖤 so many Old Testament connections
🖤 why does John have wings in this Syrian icon??

Read it all on Substack!
https://marydeandraws.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-luke-eyewitnesses-to-d53
These colors 😍. These colors 😍.
Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction an Part of my heart is always drawn to abstraction and pure color play. 💕
Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter!

Copyright ©Marydean Draws 2025 2026 Marydean Draws
Theme by SheShoppes

Hi there! Would you like to join my newsletter?

I send new Bible studies on Wednesdays and a free newsletter
on Fridays filled with encouragement, good reads, and shop updates.
As a thank you for signing up, I’ll send you a printable 5×7″ print.